The recent city-wide protests over the death of Philando Castile will cost taxpayers approximately $1.5 million.
According to KARE-TV, Tonya Tennessen, a spokesperson for St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, says of that amount, $1.3 million was for police costs through this past Tuesday.
Preliminary costs increased a half-million dollars in the past week alone and as of July 17th, the cost was estimated at $1 million, which included the shutdown of Interstate 94 in St. Paul on July 9th.
Since July 7th, the day after Castile was shot, protesters have been stationed outside the Governor’s Mansion on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Various reports say approximately 70 protesters were arrested Tuesday and Wednesday when police cleared protesters out from in front of the mansion.
Tennessen said that St. Paul may ask the state or federal government for assistance with the costs associated with the protests.
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